Hi Alan, I use a GPS device mount mounted on the handlebars which automatically tracks wherever I go, taking a position reading at defined intervals. On the track you can tell how fast or slow I was going (generally indicating hills) by the space between trackpoints.
You can also get apps for iPhones etc which do this, but I use a specialised device because of battery consumption, robustness and waterproofness. Mine is a Garmin eTrex 30. Before the ride I plan the route using various bits of software including ExpertGPS, Google Maps and ViewRanger, as well as paper maps (IGN Top 100 series for France). The route itself I put into ExpertGPS and from that upload it onto the device, in sections. In France I try to stick to the white roads, occasionally using the yellows, and as much as possible avoid the reds, which is why the route goes through small villages. On the bike I then just follow the directions that I've programmed into the device. It's a balls-ache to devise the route, but when cycling it's great because you don't have to stop at every junction to check a paper map - you just glance at the device. I always take the paper maps too, of course, and a compass. You can't rely on a GPS device on its own - you could lose or break it, run out of batteries, or need to replan to deal with circumstances, such as closed roads. Proper maps are also great for seeing what's around you - using a GPS is like being limited to tunnel vision. It also records stats such as top speed (a fraction under 40mph this trip), moving average (13 mph until I met up with my pal!) and so on. B > On 2 Jul 2015, at 09:22, Alan C <[email protected]> wrote: > > Very interesting, Bob. I followed the route at a fairly high zoom. A lot of > small villages on the route. Do you have one of those apps which tracks the > route automatically? I'd love to try something like that but the towns are > too far apart & the traffic too dangerous in SA. However, there are now some > multi-day MB tour routes as opposed to the very popular (& ridiculously > expensive) MB stage races. > > Alan C > > -----Original Message----- From: Bob W-PDML > Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2015 5:42 PM > To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List > Subject: Re: OT: A thousand cows in limousines > > Here is the GPS track from the trip. > > http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/NjgyMTc= > > You can zoom the map using the controls in the top left. If you have any > problems and are particularly interested in it, let me know and I'll send you > the file. > > I've done a first pass of the photos, but nothing to show yet. They're very > biased towards the second part of the trip. > > B > > > >> On 1 Jul 2015, at 11:03, Bob W-PDML <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Thanks. Got back from France yesterday, having managed to avoid all the >> burning tyres on the Channel Tunnel railway tracks. >> >> The first leg went very quickly and I made good, enjoyable progress. >> >> The second leg didn't really go to plan as my pal wasn't fit enough to cover >> the planned miles or terrain. We toured La Margeride, which is a beautiful >> and little-known part of the Massif Central, with easy cycling - a real >> highlight for me - but we decided not to go onto the big stuff of the >> Causses in the Cevennes as he was not really up to it. >> >> Nevertheless, it was a great trip in good company. I'll post some photos >> over the next few days, and the GPS tracks for people who are interested in >> such things. >> >> B >> >> >>> On 13 Jun 2015, at 18:08, Knarf <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> I eagerly await photos. >>> >>> Have fun and ride safe! >>> >>> Cheers, >>> >>> frank >>> >>>> On 12 June, 2015 3:01:51 PM EDT, Bob W-PDML <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> I'm off on my hols tomorrow, so signing off for the duration. >>>> >>>> I'll be cycling across France again, but a shorter route than last >>>> year. Here are the two legs - meeting up with a pal and his son, who >>>> has been delegated to carry the defibrillators, in Clermont-Ferrand for >>>> the 2nd half. >>>> >>>> Caen to Clermont-Ferrand: >>>> http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/NjI2MjA= >>>> >>>> To Montpellier: >>>> http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/NjQwNzI= >>>> >>>> I will take some pictures. >>>> >>>> B >>>> >>>> ...and in case you're wondering about the subject heading: >>>> http://www.france-voyage.com/tourism/regional-nature-park-millevaches-limousin-1286.htm >> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> [email protected] >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >> follow the directions. > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > https://www.avast.com/antivirus > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
